Device for providing access to a space

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a device for providing access to a space, wherein the space is provided with an access element, such as for instance a door or window, wherein the device is provided with pressing means for exerting an impact force on one or more parts of the access element, such as for instance a door frame, comprising:
         an elongate housing,   an elongate impact element for exerting the impact force on the access element which is adjustably movable between a starting position and an end position by means of first drive means,   the first drive means are adapted to produce the impact force,   the impact element is comprised in a first guide extending along the impact element,   the impact element is provided from close to the first outer end up to at least an exit opening with a narrowed portion,   the first drive means comprise a first fluid reservoir provided with a first fluid suitable for high-pressure application, wherein in the starting position of the impact element the first fluid is arranged compressed in the first fluid reservoir and the first fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with a first side of the first outer end of the impact element,   first activating means for activating the device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a device for providing access to aspace, wherein the space is provided with an access element, such as forinstance a door or window, wherein the device is provided with pressingmeans for exerting an impact force on one or more parts of the accesselement, such as for instance a door frame, comprising:

an elongate housing,

an elongate impact element for exerting the impact force on the accesselement which is adjustably movable between a starting position and anend position by means of first drive means,

the first drive means are adapted to produce the impact force,

the impact element is comprised in a first guide extending along theimpact element,

the impact element is provided from close to the first outer end up toat least an exit opening with a narrowed portion,

the first drive means comprise a first fluid reservoir provided with afirst fluid suitable for high-pressure application, wherein in thestarting position of the impact element the first fluid is arrangedcompressed in the first fluid reservoir and the first fluid reservoir isin fluid communication with a first side of the first outer end of theimpact element,

first activating means for activating the device.

BACKGROUND ART

The known devices are used by police units to open doors.

Such a device is known in the field. The known device is described inthe American patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,723. The known device usesexplosive drive means. The known device has the drawback that the deviceproduces a very great deal of noise, whereby the element of surprise forthose present behind the access element is lost. In addition, the deviceis difficult to place in the case of doors since the device is difficultto clamp in place.

The use of explosives limits the application of the above stated devicesince there are not many law enforcement units allowed to make use ofexplosives. In addition, transport and storage of explosives is subjectto strict rules which can in practice form an impediment to use of thedevice.

Another device according to the preamble is described in theinternational patent application WO 02/096517. This known device useshydraulic drive means. The drawback of this device is that the device isslow in use. In addition, the device always requires an externalhydraulic pump, whereby the device becomes heavy to use.

Both the known devices have the drawback that the devices are notclosed, whereby the operation thereof can be affected by fouling. Thedeployment of the devices cannot therefore be guaranteed 100%.

The known devices are moreover not suitable for transport under water,whereby marine units cannot use the known devices.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the invention to provide a device according to thepreamble which does not have the above drawbacks.

The device according to the invention has for this purpose the featurethat the device is provided with a dosing device for adjustable dosingof the impact force, wherein the dosing device is arranged substantiallyin the housing. The device according to the invention can hereby beplaced several seconds more quickly than the known device. These secondsare of vital importance to police and marine units.

In a first preferred embodiment of the device according to theinvention, the dosing device comprises:

a second fluid reservoir at least partially formed by a space betweenthe first guide and the narrowed portion in the impact element, whereinin the starting position of the impact element the second fluidreservoir is substantially filled with a second fluid suitable forhigh-pressure application and the second fluid reservoir is adapted tofully absorb the impact force produced by the first drive means,

a third fluid reservoir in adjustable fluid communication with thesecond fluid reservoir,

the first activating means are adapted to adjust the extent of fluidcommunication between the second fluid reservoir and the third fluidreservoir.

The first drive means are formed by the second fluid reservoir filledwith the second fluid which is under high pressure. The impact force isin this way always present and need not first be generated. In addition,this embodiment produces hardly any sound. Owing to the applied dosingdevice the device can be easily clamped in, after which the full impactforce can be utilized all at once in order to force the access element.

In a second preferred embodiment of the device according to theinvention, the device is provided with (pressure-)relieving means forrelieving the device for the purpose of at least partially urging theimpact element back in the direction of the starting position to arelieved position, comprising:

a fourth fluid reservoir in direct or indirect fluid communication withthe second fluid reservoir and substantially filled with a fourth fluid,

second drive means adapted to carry the fourth fluid under high pressureinto the fourth fluid reservoir,

second activating means for activating the relieving means, wherein thesecond activating means are adapted to bring about the fluidcommunication between the fourth fluid reservoir and the second fluidreservoir.

Once the device has been activated and has forced the access element,the device has to be removed as quickly as possible. The police ormarine units can hereby enter the space behind the forced access elementas quickly as possible. Providing the device with a relieving deviceenables the device to be moved in simple manner to a relieved position,whereby the device is released from the access element. This measurealso results in several seconds being gained during use of the deviceaccording to the invention.

In a second preferred embodiment of the device according to theinvention, the relieving means comprise a second tubular guide which isprovided with a displaceable sealing wall which divides the space in thesecond guide into a first guide space and a second guide space, whereinthe fourth fluid reservoir is comprised in the first guide space, andthe second drive means are adapted to displace the sealing wall suchthat the pressure in the fourth fluid reservoir is increased. Followingactivation of the second activating means the pressure built up in thefourth fluid reservoir ensures that the second fluid reservoir fillswith fluid and the impact element is driven in the direction of thestarting position to its relieved position.

In a further preferred embodiment, the second drive means are providedwith a fifth fluid reservoir which comprises a fifth fluid suitable forhigh-pressure application and which is in fluid communication with thesecond guide space which is substantially filled with the fifth fluid,wherein the fifth fluid in the fifth fluid reservoir is under highpressure in the starting position of the impact element.

The force for urging the impact element to its relieved position ishereby available at all times and need not be built up first.

The first fluid reservoir is preferably comprised wholly gas-tightly inthe housing. No gases hereby escape from the device, whereby the deviceis safer for the user. The device can also be easily made ready forreuse by filling the second and fourth fluid reservoirs with fluid usinga compressor.

In addition, the first fluid reservoir can be arranged for releasablegas-tight attachment in the housing. The first fluid reservoir can forinstance be embodied as a gas cartridge.

A hydraulic oil is preferably used for the second, third and fourthfluids. A gas is preferably used for the first and second fluids.

The device is preferably provided with locking means for locking theimpact element in the starting position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The device will be further elucidated with reference to the followingfigures, in which:

FIG. 1A shows a preferred embodiment of the device according to theinvention with the impact element 3 in the starting position,

FIG. 1B shows a preferred embodiment of the device according to theinvention with the impact element 3 in the end position,

FIG. 2A shows a further preferred embodiment of the device according tothe invention with the impact element 3 in an end position, wherein thedevice is provided with relieving means,

FIG. 2B shows a further preferred embodiment of the device according tothe invention with the impact element 3 in a relieved position, whereinthe device is provided with relieving means.

The same reference numerals designate the same components.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1A shows a preferred embodiment of device 1 according to theinvention with impact element 3 in the starting position. Device 1 isintended for placing at or between one or more parts of the accesselement, such as for instance door frame parts. For this purpose device1 comprises an elongate housing 2, and an elongate impact element 3which can be extended out of the housing and is provided with a firstouter end 4, which is comprised in housing 2, and a second outer end 5located substantially outside housing 2. Impact element 3 and an outerend of housing 2 remote from the second outer end are intended to beplaced clampingly between one or more parts of an access element, suchas a door or a window frame, and/or a fixed object close to the accesselement, such as for instance a railing. Impact element 3 protrudes viaan exit opening 6 from a short side of housing 2, wherein in thestarting position impact element 3 is comprised substantially in housing2 and in an end position (see FIG. 1B) impact element 3 lies furtheroutside housing 2 and in the line thereof. The impact force produced bythe drive means is transmitted via the first outer end 4 to the secondouter end 5 and, when the device is placed, to the one or more parts ofthe access element. Impact element 3 is comprised in a first guide 7which is preferably tubular. First guide 7 extends along impact element3. The cross-section of first guide 7 and the cross-section of firstouter end 4 preferably take co-acting forms so that first outer end 4can be arranged fluid-tightly in first guide 7 in a simple manner.

Impact element 3 is provided from close to first outer end 4 up to atleast an exit opening 6 with a narrowed portion 8 which extends in theline of impact element 3. The cross-section of narrowed portion 8 andthe cross-section of exit opening 6 preferably have co-acting forms sothat the impact element can be arranged fluid-tightly in exit opening 6in a simple manner. Impact element 3 can be embodied as a piston. Thefirst drive means comprise a first fluid reservoir 9 provided with afirst fluid suitable for high-pressure application, for instance a noblegas such as argon, wherein in the starting position of impact element 3the first fluid is arranged compressed in fluid reservoir 9 and thefirst fluid reservoir 9 is in fluid communication with a first side 4Aof first outer end 4 of impact element 3. In the described embodiment apassage 10 is arranged in the impact element, although this is notessential for the operation of the invention. Following activation ofdevice 1 the first fluid exerts a force on the first side 4A of firstouter end 4 of impact element 3 in the direction of the second endposition of impact element 3.

In the case a gas is used, fluid reservoir 9 is preferably under apressure of 400 bar so that, at a piston diameter of 4 cm, the impactforce amounts to 5 tons, this being sufficient to force the accesselement. In order to ensure that possibly arranged door chains are alsobroken, the impact element preferably has a length of 30 cm. Followingactivation of device 1 the first outer end 4 of impact element 3 isdisplaced through 30 cm in the direction of the end position of impactelement 3. In this end position the pressure in the first fluidreservoir 9 has fallen to 170 bar and, at a piston diameter of 4 cm, theremaining impact force at this position amounts to 2.125 tons. Thisremaining impact force is important for the case the access element isnot completely open. Owing to the remaining impact force on the accesselement the access element remains under tension, whereby the accesselement can still be opened manually with a kick or by means of a ram.The above stated dimensions and pressure values are stated by way ofexample. The invention is expressly not limited to these dimensions andpressure values.

Fluid reservoir 9 is preferably built into housing 2 and housing 2 isprovided with means for increasing the pressure in the fluid reservoir.Fluid reservoir 9 can however also be arranged removably in housing 2,wherein fluid reservoir 9 is embodied as for instance a gas cartridge.

It is found necessary in practice that the device according to theinvention be quick to place. It is necessary here to clamp the devicequickly in place, wherein impact element 3 is placed against accesselement 3 in rapid but controllable manner.

In order to make this possible device 1 comprises a dosing device inhousing 2 for dosing the impact force. This dosing device preferablycomprises a second fluid reservoir 12 which is formed at least partiallyby a space between first guide 7 and narrowed portion 8 in impactelement 3. The volume of the second fluid reservoir 12 thereby dependson the position of first outer end 4 of impact element 3 relative toexit opening 6. The volume of second fluid reservoir 12 is greatest whenimpact element 3 is in the starting position. Second fluid reservoir 12is substantially filled with a second fluid suitable for high-pressureapplication, for instance a hydraulic oil, whereby the impact forceproduced by the first drive means can be absorbed.

For the purpose of dosing the impact force produced by the first drivemeans device 1 is also provided with a third fluid reservoir 13 which isin adjustable fluid communication with second fluid reservoir 12. Thevolume hereof has at least the volume of second fluid reservoir 12. Thisthird fluid reservoir 13 is intended to receive the second fluid fromsecond fluid reservoir 12, and in the starting position of impactelement 3 is substantially filled with a third fluid with the sameproperties as the second fluid. The second and third fluids can inpractice be the same. In the starting position of impact element 3 thethird fluid reservoir 13 is under a lower pressure than the second fluidin second fluid reservoir 12. In the end position of impact element 3the third fluid reservoir 13 has received at least the volume of secondfluid from second fluid reservoir 12. This volume equals the volume ofthe space between first guide 7 and narrowed portion 8 in impact element3 in the starting position of impact element 3.

It will be evident that exit opening 6 and first outer end 4 areprovided all the way around with fluid-sealing means.

In order to operate the dosing device, and thereby device 1, device 1 isprovided with first activating means 11 which define the extent of fluidcommunication between the second 12 and third fluid reservoir 13. Theseactivating means 11 can be embodied as a feed member. By opening thefeed member the second fluid will flow to third fluid reservoir 13,whereby impact element 3 is urged to the end position.

Fully opening the feed member will cause impact element 3 to move towardthe end position with maximum impact force. Not opening the feed memberfully will cause impact element 3 to move at a lower speed to the endposition, and impact element 3 can be stopped in an intermediateposition by fully closing the feed member.

FIG. 1B shows a preferred embodiment of the device according to theinvention with impact element 3 in the end position. The second fluidhas now been displaced substantially to third fluid reservoir 13,whereby impact element 3 can move to the end position. In order tore-place impact element 3 in its starting position housing 2 is providedwith a connection 14 connected to second fluid reservoir 12. Using forinstance a fluid compressor (not shown) the second fluid can be fed backagain under high pressure to second fluid reservoir 12, wherein impactelement 3 is pressed back into the starting position. In the examplestated in the description of FIG. 1A this pressure is higher than 400bar. First liquid reservoir 9 is hereby brought under pressure again.

FIG. 2A shows a further preferred embodiment of device 1 according tothe invention with impact element 3 in an end position, wherein thedevice is provided with (pressure-)relieving means. In order to relievedevice 1 in the case impact element 3 is clamped between for instancethe parts of the access element, device 1 is provided with a relievingmeans for at least partially urging impact element 3 in the direction ofthe starting position to a relieved position. The relieving means areformed by, among other parts, a second tubular guide 17 which isprovided with a displaceable sealing wall 18 which divides the space inthe second guide into a first guide space 19 and a second guide space20. The first guide space 19 forms a fourth fluid reservoir 16, whilethe second guide space 20 forms a fifth fluid reservoir 21. The fourthfluid reservoir 16 is in fluid communication with second fluid reservoir12, preferably via third fluid reservoir 13. Fourth fluid reservoir 16is preferably filled with the same fluid as the second and third fluidreservoirs, such as for instance hydraulic oil. Fifth fluid reservoir 21is preferably filled with a gas, for instance a noble gas such as argon,and forms therewith the second drive means.

In the example stated in the description of FIG. 1A the fifth fluidreservoir 21 is preferably brought under a pressure of 700 bar.

FIG. 2B shows a further preferred embodiment of the device according tothe invention with impact element 3 in a relieved position, wherein thedevice is provided with relieving means.

The relieving means can be activated by second activating means which,for the purpose of simple operation of device 1, are integrated intofirst activating means 11. Following activation of the second activatingmeans the fourth fluid reservoir 16 and the second fluid reservoir 12are in fluid communication with each other. Owing to the high pressurein the fifth fluid reservoir 21 the fourth fluid is pressed out of thefirst guide space 19 to second fluid reservoir 12. This can optionallytake place via third fluid reservoir 13.

Owing to this fluid displacement the first outer end 4 of impact element3 will move at least partially in the direction of the starting positionto a relieved position. By pumping the fourth fluid back into fourthfluid reservoir 16 via connection 15 the fifth fluid reservoir 21 isbrought under pressure again and the relieving means can be used onceagain.

Third fluid reservoir 13 and/or fourth fluid reservoir 16 preferablyalso comprise hydraulic oil-absorbing means such as NBR closed-cellrubber for the purpose of filling the reservoirs.

Although the invention has been elucidated above with reference to anumber of examples, it will be apparent that it is not limited thereto.The scope of the invention is therefore defined principally by thefollowing claims.

1. Device (1) for providing access to a space, wherein the space isprovided with an access element, such as for instance a door or window,wherein the device (1) is provided with pressing means for exerting animpact force on one or more parts of the access element, such as forinstance a door frame, comprising: an elongate housing (2), an elongateimpact element (3) for exerting the impact force on the access elementwhich is adjustably movable between a starting position and an endposition by means of first drive means, the first drive means areadapted to produce the impact force, the impact element (3) is comprisedin a first guide (7) extending along the impact element (3), the impactelement (3) is provided from close to the first outer end (4) up to atleast an exit opening (6) with a narrowed portion (8), the first drivemeans comprise a first fluid reservoir (9) provided with a first fluidsuitable for high-pressure application, wherein in the starting positionof the impact element (3) the first fluid is arranged compressed in thefirst fluid reservoir (9) and the first fluid reservoir (9) is in fluidcommunication with a first side (4A) of the first outer end (4) of theimpact element (3), first activating means (11) for activating thedevice (1), characterized in that the device (1) is provided with adosing device for adjustable dosing of the impact force, wherein thedosing device is arranged substantially in the housing (2).
 2. Device(1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dosing device comprises: a secondfluid reservoir (12) at least partially formed by a space between thefirst guide (7) and the narrowed portion (8) in the impact element (3),wherein in the starting position of the impact element (3) the secondfluid reservoir (12) is substantially filled with a second fluidsuitable for high-pressure application and the second fluid reservoir(12) is adapted to fully absorb the impact force produced by the firstdrive means, a third fluid reservoir (13) in adjustable fluidcommunication with the second fluid reservoir (12), the first activatingmeans (11) are adapted to adjust the extent of fluid communicationbetween the second fluid reservoir (12) and the third fluid reservoir(13).
 3. Device (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the device (1) isprovided with (pressure-)relieving means for relieving the device (1)for the purpose of at least partially urging the impact element (3) backin the direction of the starting position to a relieved position,comprising: a fourth fluid reservoir (16) in direct or indirect fluidcommunication with the second fluid reservoir (12) and substantiallyfilled with a fourth fluid, second drive means adapted to carry thefourth fluid under high pressure into the fourth fluid reservoir (16),second activating means for activating the relieving means, wherein thesecond activating means are adapted to bring about the fluidcommunication between the fourth fluid reservoir (16) and the secondfluid reservoir (12).
 4. Device (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein therelieving means comprise: a second tubular guide (17) which is providedwith a displaceable sealing wall (18) which divides the space in thesecond guide into a first guide space (19) and a second guide space(20), wherein the fourth fluid reservoir (16) is comprised in the firstguide space (19), and the second drive means are adapted to displace thesealing wall (18) such that the pressure in the fourth fluid reservoir(16) is increased.
 5. Device (1) as claimed in claim 4, wherein thesecond drive means are provided with a fifth fluid reservoir whichcomprises a fifth fluid suitable for high-pressure application and whichis in fluid communication with the second guide space (20) which issubstantially filled with the fifth fluid, wherein the fifth fluid inthe fifth fluid reservoir is under high pressure in the startingposition of the impact element (3).
 6. Device (1) as claimed in any ofthe foregoing claims, wherein the first fluid reservoir (9) is comprisedwholly gas-tightly in the housing (2).
 7. Device (1) as claimed in anyof the foregoing claims, wherein the first fluid reservoir (9) can beattached releasably in gas-tight manner in the housing (2).
 8. Device(1) as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the first andfifth fluids comprise a gas and the second, third and fourth fluidscomprise a hydraulic oil.
 9. Device (1) as claimed in any of theforegoing claims, wherein the device (1) is provided with locking meansfor locking the impact element (3) in the starting position.